Non-Technical Summary Qikiqtaaluk CorporationApril 23 2021Title: Science and Indigenous partnerships in action: mobilizing Indigenous knowledge and building capacity to participate in research during the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries resource assessmentsLead Researcher’s Name and Affiliation: Dr. Scott Grant, Marine InstituteResearch QuestionsDuring this study, the RV Ludy Pudluk, a newly constructed purpose-built fisheries research vessel owned by the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, and community supplied support vessels from the four study communities of Kinngait, Sanikiluaq, Sanirajak, and Igloolik will work in concert in waters adjacent to each community to determine the fishery potential of marine resources. Sharing of knowledge and capacity building among Indigenous community members and researchers from the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University will occur during data collection associated with ecosystem-based resource assessments and development of a variety of fishing gears designed to meet the needs of Nunavut small boat harvesters. Specific questions that this study will seek to answer:1.What is the inshore fisheries potential around the four study communities?2.Where are benthic invertebrates such as shellfish, clams, and whelks located around these communities?3.What are the life-history characteristics of species of interest that occur in waters adjacent to these communities?4.What are the conditions of the seafloor and seafloor bottom type around these communities?5.Can the surveyed areas potentially support increased subsistence harvest of species of interest or do they have the potential to be commercially harvested areas?6.Are there any new edible species present that can be harvested? 7.How can Inuit, academia and Inuit Organizations work together to develop inshore fisheries in Nunavut?Objectives and RationaleThere is increasing pressure to utilize Arctic marine resources to minimize food insecurity through increased subsistence harvesting of new and existing species and where suitable numbers of harvestable species occur there is interest in commercial development. To contribute to sustainable Arctic marine ecosystems, exploratory fisheries need to consider a comprehensive research strategy that includes Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and building capacity to participate in research activities that foster community-based management of renewable resources. Lack of community capacity to participate in Nunavut research activities limits community partnerships in new emerging fishery initiatives and reduces the ability to extend scientific research.Timeline and LocationThe first study will take place over a 7 to 8-week period between July and October 2021 in Kinngait and Sanikiluaq. The second study will take place over a 7 to 8-week between July to October 2022 in Sanirajak and Igloolik. Timing of the studies will depend on ice-out.Annually as data is analyzed, underwater video of the seabed and animals that occur there will be delivered to HTOs within each year of the study. Meetings/presentations outlining results of the previous year’s research will take place every second year in each community (i.e., two communities will be studied for 3.5 weeks in each year and we will return to those communities to continue studies every second year. Specifically, communities studied in 2021-2022 will be returned to in 2023-2024 and communities studied in 2022/2023 will be returned to in 2024 and 2025 with financial assistance from QC and different funding programs. MethodsThis project utilizes state-of-the-art technologies (e.g., multibeam echosounder, acoustic Doppler current profiler, multiparameter sonde [records water depth, temperature, salinity, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic matter, turbidity, and chlorophyll a], georeferenced 4K high-definition underwater video, fishing gear designed to meet the needs Nunavut small boat harvesters, and an ecosystem approach to resource assessments.ImpactsOur project will not involve human or animal experimentation, tissue or data. The project activities will include monitoring the inshore marine environment with various types of equipment. This equipment will interact with the environment such as towed video sled and scallop, clam, and sea cucumber dredges. It is notable, that the lower component of the towed video sled has an arched design that allows vertical structures that extend up to 30 cm above the seabed to pass under the sled with no or minimal damage. This also allows the sled to easily pass over large rocks. The sample area of bottom contact gear will remain small and the impact to the environment limited. We will also be using remote monitoring equipment wherever possible to avoid any physical impact on the marine environment. We will also use underwater video to determine the effects of towed fishing gear on the seabed and animals that live there.Data ManagementThe project is expected to generate new intellectual property. The data gathered from this research will be shared through presentations and reports with the communities impacted as well as at conferences and meetings. The data sets will remain property of the Marine Institute and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation. There are no patents involved in the project so far and QC has a corporate lawyer to ensure all practices are beneficial.Nunavut ResidentsA total of five Inuit from each of the study communities will actively join the research efforts and be trained on the equipment and research operations. Two Inuit from Kinngait and Sanikiluaq will fly to Newfoundland and Labrador to join the RV Ludy Pudluk while it transits North. In addition, two community vessels will work in tandem with the RV Ludy Pudluk to increase efficiency. In addition, the Hunters and Trappers Organizations (HTOs) in each of the four communities have been consulted with by Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and the Marine Institute. The HTAs decide the community members who will be involved in this research project based on experience. Information Dissemination The first study will take place between July to October 2021 in Kinngait and Sanikiluaq. The second study will take place between July to October 2022 in Sanirajak and Igloolik. Reports and information dissemination will follow immediately following the studies. The results from the studies will be shared through publications in 2022 to 2025. Presentations at conferences will take place starting in 2022 as well. Annually as data is analyzed, underwater video will be delivered to HTOs within each year of the study. Meetings/presentations will take place every second year in each community (i.e., two communities will be studied for three weeks in each year and we will return to those communities to continue studies every second year. Specifically, communities studied in 2021-2022 will be returned to in 2023-2024 and communities studied in 2022/2023 will be returned to in 2024 and 2025. The results of this work will impact many issues such as food security and climate change. For this reason, information will be made available upon request to the Government of Nunavut and the Government of Canada, Inuit organizations and community members as required.